Monday, November 21, 2011
Confidence Via Performance
What many don’t realize is that they don’t have to be in the spotlight to shine.
When at a show, most people are captured by the actors and don’t give a second thought about what is happening behind the scenes. Months before a final production, there is a skilled team working hard to make sure actors look as good as possible. Many do not realize that sitting mere feet from the back row is a small technical booth. In that booth there is a person- sometimes several people- working light, sound and making sure things run well.
Another small team of people stand at the ready backstage. The stage manager stands off to the side with a headset, in constant contact with the booth. A stage manager ensures the show runs as planned; watching for actors, making sure light cues are met, that the right props and set pieces are set up and ready to go on for the next scene. Stage managers are the ring leaders of the theater.
Once stage manager pulls the curtain, the stage hands jolt into action. Stage hands need to be strong and silent. They must be able to lift sets which can weigh around 50 pounds, depending on what they’re made of and move them as quietly as possible without the audience being aware. It is common for a scene to have many different pieces of furniture. If the stage hands forget even one piece, the scene could be ruined.
In actuality, a show could not go on without the backstage help.
There are performers at a football game that help the game shine. You won’t see them on the field until half time. The marching band plays in the stands, performing songs they have been working on since summer. Second quarter ends and it is time for the half time show. The band marches onto the field. The mighty tuba bellows the first notes of a popular song into the crisp night air, followed by a chorus of piccolos, trumpets, trombones, saxophones and various other instruments.
The marching band begins rehearsing in late August, before school begins. Band camp is rough, full of blood, sweat and tears. Marching in a band is tougher than it looks. One needs to be aware of where they themselves on the field are as well as those around them. They need to be continuously thinking of their own music, what notes to play when and to what rhythms, and to what everyone else is play. They need to constantly feel the beat. The marching band works hard under the unforgiving sun and heat of summer from dawn until dusk during band camp.
The band does not quit once the football season is over. They continue throughout the year, preparing themselves for competitions and concerts. Band members are constantly performing. A high school band performs every day, whether it be rehearsing, practicing on their own or performing in small groups in front of people. In an average high school band repertoire, there can be hundreds of songs in a single year.
Performing gives confidence, both in the light and dark. Whether it’s being backstage, being in the marching band, on the football team, dance, singing alone in your bedroom, modeling, writing or whatever it is that makes you happy, be sure you are performing.
Get out there and perform in whatever way you can.
Looking snazzy
The new Nashua High School South band uniforms received rave reviews after their debut Saturday.
“I want them to feel more comfortable, cool even,” said band director Anthony Corounis. “When you get dressed up, you feel better, more confident.” Corounis believes this change will make the students want to be the best band that they can be.
The new uniforms are black with purple racing stripes across the chest. As opposed to the old, tattered, wool uniforms, the new modern uniforms are made of polyester and made to last longer than the previous 15 year old uniforms. This takes a major stress off of Music Booster President Caroline Koss Kasten, who would always bring “duct tape, safety pins, and a small sewing kit” to all of the bands events. Rips and tears in the uniforms were a common occurrence for the band.
“We look a lot better,” said Ren Connolly, a senior at South, “much more modern. We even look kind of slick.” The marching band felt a newly found sense of pride as they marched to Stellos Stadium for the South vs. Lowell football game this Saturday. Band Junior Cesar Dominguez feels much more relaxed. “I feel more like a rock star and less like a band dweeb.”
After it was clear the school board was not going to help with funding this necessary change, the Music Boosters took it upon themselves to raise the money completely on their own. The $45,000 tab was paid off by various fund raisers, including a benefit concert last December, silent auction, tagging at local stores, and donations. According to Kasten, one woman from the Midwest with absolutely no connection to the band donated $200 because of her strong belief in Music Education.
The uniforms were ordered from Fruhauf. The design was collaboration between the company and Corounis. The next public showing of the uniforms will be this Friday, September 24 at Stellos Stadium. To donate to the Nashua Music Boosters, contact Caroline Kasten at
“I want them to feel more comfortable, cool even,” said band director Anthony Corounis. “When you get dressed up, you feel better, more confident.” Corounis believes this change will make the students want to be the best band that they can be.
The new uniforms are black with purple racing stripes across the chest. As opposed to the old, tattered, wool uniforms, the new modern uniforms are made of polyester and made to last longer than the previous 15 year old uniforms. This takes a major stress off of Music Booster President Caroline Koss Kasten, who would always bring “duct tape, safety pins, and a small sewing kit” to all of the bands events. Rips and tears in the uniforms were a common occurrence for the band.
“We look a lot better,” said Ren Connolly, a senior at South, “much more modern. We even look kind of slick.” The marching band felt a newly found sense of pride as they marched to Stellos Stadium for the South vs. Lowell football game this Saturday. Band Junior Cesar Dominguez feels much more relaxed. “I feel more like a rock star and less like a band dweeb.”
After it was clear the school board was not going to help with funding this necessary change, the Music Boosters took it upon themselves to raise the money completely on their own. The $45,000 tab was paid off by various fund raisers, including a benefit concert last December, silent auction, tagging at local stores, and donations. According to Kasten, one woman from the Midwest with absolutely no connection to the band donated $200 because of her strong belief in Music Education.
The uniforms were ordered from Fruhauf. The design was collaboration between the company and Corounis. The next public showing of the uniforms will be this Friday, September 24 at Stellos Stadium. To donate to the Nashua Music Boosters, contact Caroline Kasten at
This Title is Offensive
This title is offensive.
In public schools safety triumphs over freedom of speech.
Many students believe as soon as they walk through the school gates all of their First Amendment rights are left behind. The First Amendment covers freedom of speech, press, religion, assembly, and petition.
Students do have these rights in school but they are hampered more than they should be. School officials take away anything that would be ‘disruptive,’ ‘obscene’ and ‘unsafe’ in the school system.
For example, in the case of Tinker a group of students wanted to protest the war by wearing armbands with peace signs. The schools caught word of what was going on and enforced a rule that armbands were no longer allowed in the district.
The school believed the armbands may cause fights between students. War is a controversial issue and some students may be offended by the idea that a group of students are against it.
The key word being may. Yes, some students may be offended by an armband protesting the war. Who is to say this will lead to fighting? How long can we shelter students from the real world? People disagree. Let them disagree. How are students supposed to form an opinion on any issue if everyone agrees all of the time?
As in the case of Parker High School located in Janesville, Wis., a student was giving a presentation to his English class, according to an article on Channel3000.com. His visual aid was the Bible and a book. He called the Bible a ‘piece of crap.’
He then stated “I'm going to do this because I can. I'm going to do something that your stupid little minds aren't going to be able to comprehend.” He began ripping pages out of the Bible, offending many of his classmates.
School officials would not confirm whether the boy was suspended, according to the article.
In a reaction to the boys punishment three Parker High School students wore t-shirts protesting that the student be brought back to the school after his hearing. School officials made the students change clothing.
Teachers have a lack of rights too. Teachers should be able to choose the books their students read, within reason. A student should be allowed to read books with murder, suicide, sexual references, profanity, alcohol, graphic violence, etc. A teacher should be allowed to assign these books to students. These are real world things. Students should have the right to view the real world as they wish to.
Students having a saying in what they read could improve their scores. Most of the time, students do not want to read the novels they are assigned and score low on tests and quizzes. If the students choose what they read and take interest their choosing, test scores are bound to improve.
Everything can be considered offensive if you look at it a certain way. A Batman shirt can start an argument with someone who prefers Superman. A swastika can be seen as an offensive symbol to those who believe in Judaism. A cross can be seen as offensive to people of the Hindu faith. Certain colors can start a fight between gangs. Where is the line drawn between what is offensive and what is not?
Let the students decide. Let students disagree. Let students form their own opinions. Confrontations should be dealt with when they happen. Students need to grow and learn that everything is not all rainbows and sunshine. Having their thoughts sheltered is not going to help. A small handful of adults should not be able to say what students wear, say or read. They have their own voices, let them use it.
Studnets, don’t be afraid to say what is on your mind. If you think it, say it. Empower others to do the same.
If the school system continues to suppress the student minds into a conformist state, the world will be doomed.
In public schools safety triumphs over freedom of speech.
Many students believe as soon as they walk through the school gates all of their First Amendment rights are left behind. The First Amendment covers freedom of speech, press, religion, assembly, and petition.
Students do have these rights in school but they are hampered more than they should be. School officials take away anything that would be ‘disruptive,’ ‘obscene’ and ‘unsafe’ in the school system.
For example, in the case of Tinker a group of students wanted to protest the war by wearing armbands with peace signs. The schools caught word of what was going on and enforced a rule that armbands were no longer allowed in the district.
The school believed the armbands may cause fights between students. War is a controversial issue and some students may be offended by the idea that a group of students are against it.
The key word being may. Yes, some students may be offended by an armband protesting the war. Who is to say this will lead to fighting? How long can we shelter students from the real world? People disagree. Let them disagree. How are students supposed to form an opinion on any issue if everyone agrees all of the time?
As in the case of Parker High School located in Janesville, Wis., a student was giving a presentation to his English class, according to an article on Channel3000.com. His visual aid was the Bible and a book. He called the Bible a ‘piece of crap.’
He then stated “I'm going to do this because I can. I'm going to do something that your stupid little minds aren't going to be able to comprehend.” He began ripping pages out of the Bible, offending many of his classmates.
School officials would not confirm whether the boy was suspended, according to the article.
In a reaction to the boys punishment three Parker High School students wore t-shirts protesting that the student be brought back to the school after his hearing. School officials made the students change clothing.
Teachers have a lack of rights too. Teachers should be able to choose the books their students read, within reason. A student should be allowed to read books with murder, suicide, sexual references, profanity, alcohol, graphic violence, etc. A teacher should be allowed to assign these books to students. These are real world things. Students should have the right to view the real world as they wish to.
Students having a saying in what they read could improve their scores. Most of the time, students do not want to read the novels they are assigned and score low on tests and quizzes. If the students choose what they read and take interest their choosing, test scores are bound to improve.
Everything can be considered offensive if you look at it a certain way. A Batman shirt can start an argument with someone who prefers Superman. A swastika can be seen as an offensive symbol to those who believe in Judaism. A cross can be seen as offensive to people of the Hindu faith. Certain colors can start a fight between gangs. Where is the line drawn between what is offensive and what is not?
Let the students decide. Let students disagree. Let students form their own opinions. Confrontations should be dealt with when they happen. Students need to grow and learn that everything is not all rainbows and sunshine. Having their thoughts sheltered is not going to help. A small handful of adults should not be able to say what students wear, say or read. They have their own voices, let them use it.
Studnets, don’t be afraid to say what is on your mind. If you think it, say it. Empower others to do the same.
If the school system continues to suppress the student minds into a conformist state, the world will be doomed.
Can Wizards Rock?
It's been nearly a year, I know. I wrote this article last year too. I'm taking Greene's journalism class again, so there have been repeats.
Can Wizards Rock?
Harry Potter fans across the country have something new to obsess about. Two bands have been uncovered as the ‘wizard rock’ genre emerges. Wizard rock bands write songs about J.K. Rowling’s infamous Harry Potter novels. Since 2002, wrock has been emerging. There are already many, nerd-popular bands. For example: Draco and the Malfoys and Harry and the Potters.
Harry and the Potters is a brother duo, consisting of Paul and Joe De George. They began the band in 2002 and have been wrocking ever since. Harry and the Potters have played numerous shows across America and in a few other countries, according to their website, harryandthepotters.com. Their success is well deserved. They began shaky, with an off-beat drum and boring melodies. However, as the duo grows, so does their music. Their newest album, Harry and the Potters and the Power of Love, is loved by Harry Potter fans everywhere. Samantha Lowry, 13, Harry Potter fan, listens to this album on a daily basis. “Admittedly, Harry and the Potter’s early stuff was not good but they have gotten a lot better. I love them!” Harry and the Potters continue to release music in compilation albums with other Wrock bands, but plan on releasing a new studio record sometime in the near future.
Draco and the Malfoys is on the evil side of wizard rock. Brothers Brian Ross and Bradley Mehlenbacher founded the band in 2004. The duo performs under the persona of Draco Malfoy from the Harry Potter series. In their early work, Draco and the Malfoys had a better sound than Harry and the Potters did. They have grown over time. Most of what this band had done in 2004 had a ‘basement’ sound, using a BOSS Dr. Rhythm drum machine both in live shows and in studio recordings, according to their website evilwizardrock.com. The beats were solid, but not interesting. The vocals were weak and the drums were electronic. Today, they continue to contribute to compilation albums.
Overall, the first days of wizard rock were rocky and, frankly, not good. Wizard rock bands have never claimed to be good though. On wizardrock.org, Matt Maggiacomo of The Whomping Willows, another wrock band, is quoted to have said “There are no BAD Wizard Rock bands. Half of these bands are just kids f*cking around with garage band or whatever free program they can get their hands on. Half of these bands are populated by kids who are just learning to play an instrument and record music. The beauty of Wizard Rock is that for many of the bands, it’s nothing more than a LEARNING EXPERIENCE. We, as the elder statespeople of wizard rock, should not be encouraging young people to worry about categorization and public image. We should be encouraging them to HAVE FUN.” Both Draco and the Malfoys and Harry and the Potters have grown as bands and are loved by hundreds of thousands of Harry Potter fans around the world. A fan of the Harry Potter books is sure to enjoy- or at least be amused by- both Harry and the Potters and Draco and the Malofys, as well as the other wrock bands.
More information about wizard rock can be found at wizardrock.org. More information about Draco and the Malfoys can be found at evilwizardrock.com. More information about Harry and the Potters can be found at harryandthepotters.com.
Can Wizards Rock?
Harry Potter fans across the country have something new to obsess about. Two bands have been uncovered as the ‘wizard rock’ genre emerges. Wizard rock bands write songs about J.K. Rowling’s infamous Harry Potter novels. Since 2002, wrock has been emerging. There are already many, nerd-popular bands. For example: Draco and the Malfoys and Harry and the Potters.
Harry and the Potters is a brother duo, consisting of Paul and Joe De George. They began the band in 2002 and have been wrocking ever since. Harry and the Potters have played numerous shows across America and in a few other countries, according to their website, harryandthepotters.com. Their success is well deserved. They began shaky, with an off-beat drum and boring melodies. However, as the duo grows, so does their music. Their newest album, Harry and the Potters and the Power of Love, is loved by Harry Potter fans everywhere. Samantha Lowry, 13, Harry Potter fan, listens to this album on a daily basis. “Admittedly, Harry and the Potter’s early stuff was not good but they have gotten a lot better. I love them!” Harry and the Potters continue to release music in compilation albums with other Wrock bands, but plan on releasing a new studio record sometime in the near future.
Draco and the Malfoys is on the evil side of wizard rock. Brothers Brian Ross and Bradley Mehlenbacher founded the band in 2004. The duo performs under the persona of Draco Malfoy from the Harry Potter series. In their early work, Draco and the Malfoys had a better sound than Harry and the Potters did. They have grown over time. Most of what this band had done in 2004 had a ‘basement’ sound, using a BOSS Dr. Rhythm drum machine both in live shows and in studio recordings, according to their website evilwizardrock.com. The beats were solid, but not interesting. The vocals were weak and the drums were electronic. Today, they continue to contribute to compilation albums.
Overall, the first days of wizard rock were rocky and, frankly, not good. Wizard rock bands have never claimed to be good though. On wizardrock.org, Matt Maggiacomo of The Whomping Willows, another wrock band, is quoted to have said “There are no BAD Wizard Rock bands. Half of these bands are just kids f*cking around with garage band or whatever free program they can get their hands on. Half of these bands are populated by kids who are just learning to play an instrument and record music. The beauty of Wizard Rock is that for many of the bands, it’s nothing more than a LEARNING EXPERIENCE. We, as the elder statespeople of wizard rock, should not be encouraging young people to worry about categorization and public image. We should be encouraging them to HAVE FUN.” Both Draco and the Malfoys and Harry and the Potters have grown as bands and are loved by hundreds of thousands of Harry Potter fans around the world. A fan of the Harry Potter books is sure to enjoy- or at least be amused by- both Harry and the Potters and Draco and the Malofys, as well as the other wrock bands.
More information about wizard rock can be found at wizardrock.org. More information about Draco and the Malfoys can be found at evilwizardrock.com. More information about Harry and the Potters can be found at harryandthepotters.com.
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